Friends are family, right? Celebrate the season with these come-as-you-are Friendsgiving ideas.
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Thanksgiving is an American holiday that centers on food and spending time with loved ones. Although it’s traditionally commemorated with family, in the last few years, celebrating Friendsgiving has become a hallmark part of the holiday for many young people.
This new holiday lets you share a meal with friends in lieu of family, or as a supplement to the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Some folks celebrate it the week before Thanksgiving, some celebrate it the week after. Some people opt to host this holiday on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a great way to include international friends in the American holiday, too. Plus, who doesn’t love a little extra pumpkin pie?
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time Thanksgiving host, we’ll show you how to plan the perfect Friendsgiving menu, set a casual holiday table and embrace the true meaning of the season.
Find more ideas in our Thanksgiving hosting handbook.
How to Plan a Friendsgiving Menu
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The key to a successful Friendsgiving party is two-fold: good food, and lots of it. Ideally, everyone will bring a dish or beverage to pass. But if you’re hosting, we suggest supplying the main dish and a few sides, then let your friends fill in the gaps. (Bookmark our turkey guide for everything you need to know about cooking your holiday bird to perfection.)
Editor’s Tip: Even if you love green bean casserole, you don’t want six dishes of it showing up at your Friendsgiving. Make sure to send around a potluck sign-up sheet before the big day so everyone knows what to bring. This way you’ll avoid duplicate dishes and make it easy to cater to dietary restrictions.
When planning what you’ll serve, aim for simple recipes that don’t require a ton of time in the kitchen. (Need inspo? These 30-minute Thanksgiving recipes are holiday lifesavers.)After all, you want to be able to enjoy your friends, not spend the whole party scrambling in the kitchen.
Opt for slow cooker or make-ahead dishes, and don’t be afraid to buy a few things pre-made, too. We’re particularly partial to this slow cooker turkey breast and a batch of easy-peasy biscuits. When combined, the duo makes a delicious sandwich! Find these recipes (and more!) in our collection of Friendgiving menu ideas.
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Crunchy Bacon Blue Cheese Red Pepper Brussels SproutsThis is my family's absolute favorite dish on my holiday table. What's not to love with the mixed aroma of garlic, onions, bacon, and blue cheese floating through your home? —Jana Gooding, Carlsbad, California
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Easy Peasy BiscuitsI love that I can make these biscuits and have enough left over to freeze for another meal. They're a healthier version of a classic American staple. —Amanda West, Shelbyville, Tennessee
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Spiced Apple Cider Jelly ShotsThese spiced, spiked gelatin squares are sure to get the party started at fall get-togethers. If you’re going for the more traditional shot-style look, pour the mixture into 2-ounce plastic cups and refrigerate until set. — Rachel Seis, Senior Editor, Taste of Home
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Love the look? Find this platter (and more!) here.
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Butternut Squash Mac and CheeseI created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food, and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It's also a smart way to sneak in some veggies for children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York
Simple Lemon Parsley PotatoesFor a simply delicious side dish, I often prepare these potatoes. I like the fact that there are few ingredients and they take such little time to prepare.—Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas
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Pumpkin Ice Cream SandwichesMy grandfather loves these pumpkin-flavored treats. They remind him of a cookie his mother made. They’re fun to eat no matter what your age. —Amber Wahl, Acampo, California
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Spicy ApplesauceWe have an apple-picking party every year. It's a bushel of fun, and I always look forward to cooking a batch of this easy applesauce seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and allspice. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington
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Bacon-Wrapped Sweet Potato BitesAfter making little bacon-wrapped sausages for years, I needed a change! I had an extra sweet potato and half a package of bacon on hand, so I put on my thinking cap and came up with this treat. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
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Slow Cooker Bacon-Mushroom DressingMy favorite stuffing uses a slow cooker, which helps when your oven's busy. It goes with everything from turkey to game hens. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, Ohio
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Easy Orange and Red Onion SaladHere's an unusual salad that’s easy to prepare when holiday obligations have you short on time. The combination of red onions and oranges may seem unusual, but it's surprisingly delightful. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
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On holidays, a friend serves these creamy, cheesy potatoes when we gather together to celebrate with lifelong friends and grown children. —Carol Blue, Barnesville, Pennsylvania
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Almond-Bacon Cheese CrostiniFor a change from the usual toasted tomato appetizer, try this baked crostini recipe. If you like, slice the baguette at an angle instead of making a straight cut. —Leondre Hermann, Stuart, Florida
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Slow-Cooker Loaded Mashed PotatoesEvery year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family's taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida
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Green Bean CasseroleThis easy green bean casserole recipe has always been one of my favorite dishes. You can make it before any guests arrive and refrigerate it until it’s ready to bake. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington
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Pecan Pie BarsThese pecan pie bars are rich and delicious - just like pecan pie! They're perfect for taking to potlucks and other gatherings...I always come home with an empty pan. These Kentucky Derby pecan pie bars are the perfect snack while watching the races. —Carolyn Custer, Clifton Park, New York
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Slow-Cooker Creamy Cauliflower SoupI love indulgent cream soups but not the fat that goes along with them. In this healthier version, the soup's velvety texture makes it feel rich and the spicy kick warms you up in a flash. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
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Because cheese and sage go so well with apples, I decided to put them all in scones. These mini treats make a fall weekend brunch, tailgate or party even more fun. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Pumpkin Pie ShotsGrown-up treats that feature canned pumpkin and butterscotch schnapps will lure guests back for more. The gelatin shots are made ahead, so they're a great party starter. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mini Teriyaki Turkey SandwichesPreparing the pulled turkey in a delicious teriyaki sauce for these snack-size sandwiches is a breeze using a slow cooker. Serving them on lightly-toasted sweet dinner rolls is perfection made easy.—Amanda Hoop, Seaman, Ohio
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Sweet Potato StuffingMom likes to make sure there will be enough stuffing to satisfy our large family. For our holiday gatherings, she slow-cooks this tasty sweet potato dressing in addition to the traditional stuffing cooked inside the turkey. —Kelly Pollock, London, Ontario
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How to Set a Friendsgiving Table
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When setting the table, simplicity is key. Remember that you’re here to have a good time, not impress your mother-in-law. Stick to a fun color scheme—such as navy, orange and gray—and don’t be afraid to buy disposable dishware or cutlery.
As the host, lay this linen table runner for a simple decorative touch to your feast and put together a holiday cheeseboard on this serving board. Let guests do the rest! Keep the casual feel of the party going by serving the meal potluck-style. Guests can get up whenever they’re hungry or need a refill, and all you have to do is relax.
Whenever you opt for a buffet, it’s a good idea to label all of the dishes. Old wine corks and card stock make for pretty labels (plus, you now have an excuse to drink more wine). To make the labels, simply cut a groove in the cork with a utility knife, write the dish name and any allergens on the card and secure in place.
If you’re not up for a crafting project, find out where to buy pre-made place cards (and all of our other amazing Friendsgiving decor).
How to Give Thanks: Gratitude Board
It’s easy to forget how thankful we are for our friends. Set up a reminder with a gratitude board.All you need is a chalkboard and some chalk. As guests arrive, have them write down a few things that they’re grateful for. After the party, take a photo of the board and send it out in a group text message or email so that you can always remember the good times.
Want More Ideas? Find Your Thanksgiving Style.
Transform your Thanksgiving table this holiday by planning your Thanksgiving feast around one of our fun (and delicious!) themes. Take our quiz to find the perfect menu, stunning tablescape decorations and more—all based off of your personality.
